This poem is dedicated to all those suffering in the wars of the day and the hope for peaceful resolution. It is a play off the line by Shakespeare in Julius Caesar, “Cry, ‘Havoc!’ and let slip the dogs of war.” PLEASE share this poem peace loving friends! Perhaps the flutter of a butterfly’s wings here can have a great impact somewhere else in the world… Thanks, Luke

According to recent Pew research data, Muslims and Atheists are the least favored religious groups in America. Per the Pew data, Muslims and Atheists rated only a 40/41 on the cold side of the Pew “Warm-Cold” scale. Jews, Catholics, and Evangelical Christians rated on the warm side at a 63, 62, and 61. The middle ground of the scale was made up of Buddhists, Hindus, and Mormons ranking 53, 50, and 48.

One can argue that Atheists, such as myself, do not comprise a “religious group” as atheism is not a religion. But, religious polls only have so much room to make such distinctions.

Being that approximately 78% of Americans claim a Christian affiliation of some stripe according to 2008 Pew data, it is not so surprising that Muslims and Atheists are among the least regarded groups in the USA. It can be discouraging to know that the majority of Americans automatically have a generally negative feeling toward you if you fall into one of the two coldly viewed groups.

My advice is, take people one at a time as much as possible. Get to know someone a bit before you automatically dislike them. Perhaps even assume that you will like a person until they give you a reason not to. There is too much division in our Nation as it is. Many of us, even who are in different religious or ideological groups, can still find common ground and a point of solidarity between us. Hopefully, all groups can take a “warmer” view toward others of different groups and judge one another based on our individual character rather than our theological distinction.

Please take a moment to answer this poll below to share your own opinion. Thanks!

This is an update to a story that I previously covered on my blog regarding a large “Spice” bust in Central Indiana. The primary alleged ringleader was Pastor Robert Jaynes Jr. per the filed court documents. Jaynes is currently the pastor of the Irvington Bible Baptist Church in Indianapolis. He has yet to be officially relieved of his pastoral role or resign from his ministerial position in the church.

His alleged “Number Two Man” in the drug ring was Kirk Parsons, also a member of the church. In the first round of charges filed and arrests made several months ago, only lower tier individuals in the alleged ring were charged. Pastor Robert Jaynes Jr. and Kirk Parsons were not charged or arrested at that time. I was told by a relevant investigating official I interviewed that charges were expected to come in the near future for the two supposed ringleaders. The ring was said to have operated in multiple states and to have imported illegal substances from overseas, so there would potentially be Federal charges against them, as well as charges in several states. In the original batch of charges filed, Pastor Jaynes’ wife, Stacey Jaynes, and Kirk Parsons’ wife, Sherry Parsons, were both charged. Several other members of the Irvington Bible Baptist church were also charged.

Ironically, the first charges made against Pastor Robert Jaynes Jr. and Kirk Parsons were recently filed in Missouri by the United States Attorney’s Office. Charges were filed or arrests made on a total of twenty-eight individuals, including Jaynes and Parsons.

The complete court documents filed in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri Division can be found at this link:

A synopsis of the case and charges can be reviewed on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office at this link: